Doctor of Performing Arts (D.Perf.) Initial Proposal Form

The purpose of this form is to allow you to set out your individual proposal for study on the Conservatoire’s Doctor of Performing Arts (D.Perf.) programme.

The form is designed to explain some of the features of the degree, so that you can create a carefully tailored proposal that reflects the structure offered by the D.Perf. and gives us the information we need to make a decision on admittance, in advance of your interview and audition.

If you require any further information, please do not hesitate to contact you have completed the proposal, you should submit it with an ‘Application for Admission to Research Study’ to

Proposal Title

Name of applicant

Please ensure that you also complete the form ‘Application for Admission to Research Study’, available from and from the AAS Office at the Conservatoire.

Personal statement (1000 words)

What do you wish to achieve, as an artist, through the D.Perf.programme, and why is the programme the best way to achieve these goals?
What key experiences have prepared you to embark on doctoral studies?
What are your top five priorities for professional artistic development as you apply for the programme?

Part One: Practical Projects

The core of the P.Derf.programme is a series of practical projects, normally 3-4 ‘Artistic Projects’ and 1 ‘Development Project’. In this section, you should outline your proposals for these practical projects.

Artistic Projects (max 1000 words)

These are the core of the D.Perf.
Your proposal should demonstrate that the artistic projects will form a coherent artistic whole, and establish a well-integrated body of artistic work: they must be focussed enough to permit you to make a significant and original contribution to your professional field.
Each artistic project will usually be the culmination of around 6 months’ preparation.
You should show how your work will build on the work of other artists working in the same field (you may attach a separate bibliography/discography to support this if you wish)
You should introduce how, in practice, you will pursue the artistic projects, and what, if any, additional resources you will need to secure in order to realise them.
If you are successful in your application, this initial outline proposal will be more fully developed with your supervisor in the first six months of study.

Development Project (max 500 words)

The purpose of the Development Project is to broaden your professional development by facilitating significant work beyond the framework of the core Artistic Projects.
The Development Project is therefore designed to challenge you to apply your artistic insights in new and unfamiliar contexts, expand your professional skills, and provide opportunities to maximise the impact of your artistic work. Be creative! How can you use this opportunity to challenge yourself?
The scale of the Development Project will normally be similar to one of the Artistic Projects, that is, it will normally take around six months to complete.
If you are successful in your application, this initial outline proposal will be more fully developed with your supervisor in the first six months of study.

Part Two: Supplementary Studies

Supplementary Studies are taught courses, to a total of 120 credits, the purpose of which is to broaden and deepen your artistic practice. As a student on the D.Perf. programme, you propose your own Supplementary Studies for the approval of the Research Degrees Committee. In this section, you should introduce and outline these proposals.

Supplementary Studies (max 500 words)

These taught courses may be theoretical, practical or research-related, and may be ‘close’ to your proposed artistic field or, where a clear case can be made, more ‘distant’ from that field. It is up to you to make the case for what you want to do.
Courses may be drawn from the Conservatoire or the St Andrews University course catalogues (dependent on availability and pre-requisites), and may also be pursued at other higher education institutions, such as the Open University (procedures for credit transfer will be used to ensure the widest possible flexibility).
Supplementary Studies courses can be at any level from first year undergraduate, to doctoral level.
In this outline, please explain the areas you would like to study, and give an indicative timetable (for example, what will you study in your first year…? In your second year…?).If possible, give details of potential providers for your Supplementary Studies (for example, the Conservatoire, the Open University, etc.)
If you are successful in your application, this initial outline proposal will be more fully developed with your supervisor in the first six months of study.

Part Three: Written Work (for information only)

The aim of the written component is to provide a reflective synthesis of the Professional Projects and Supplementary Studies, drawing them together into a coherent whole, and contextualising the contribution you have made to your chosen artistic field through the D.Perf.. The written component will be 12,500 – 15,000 words.

The written component will set out the artistic and intellectual context for the Professional Projects, reflect self-critically on the process of professional artistic development (including the role of the Supplementary Studies undertaken), and articulate the artistic insights achieved through the programme of study.

Other information and summary

Further training needs (max 500 words)

Please outline briefly any additional training that you think will be necessary to enable you to complete the requirements of the D.Perf.programme successfully.

Residency

Is a substantial part of the work to be undertaken away from the Conservatoire?

Yes No

If yes, please give details. (max 250 words)

Summary of the proposal (max 150 words)

Please provide a brief summary of your proposal for a general audience. This may be used to promote your work on the Conservatoire’s website.

If you require any further information, please do not hesitate to contact .